Universal Design in the Workplace
Ability is a continuum with considerable variation between different people. We will all experience various types of functioning in our lifetime. Universal design provides equitable use of environments, products, and learning for people of all abilities. The definitions, goals, and benefits of universal design can help us understand how to apply it in the workplace.
The Centre of Excellence for Universal Design defines universal design as “the design and composition of an environment so that it can be accessed, understood and used to the greatest extent possible by all people regardless of their age, size, ability or disability. An environment (or any building, product, or service in that environment) should be designed to meet the needs of all people who wish to use it. This is not a special requirement, for the benefit of only a minority of the population. It is a fundamental condition of good design.” (https://universaldesign.ie/about-universal-design).
Business Benefits of Universal Design
Universal design offers multiple benefits for businesses, including:
- Optimized productivity, safety, collaboration, and communication for all employees.
- Increased market reach: Your environment and products/services can be accessible to as many people as possible.
- Enhanced customer satisfaction/retention: A customer whose needs are met keeps coming back and spreads the word to their family and friends.
- Market crossover: When a product or service makes life easier for one market segment, it can sometimes appeal to a wider audience.
- Positive Public Image
8 Goals of Universal Design
You can read about the seven principles of universal design on the Universal Design Network of Canada’s website.
In 2012, eight goals were also devised to broaden the emphasis to wider issues of social inclusion. A new definition for universal design was developed: Universal Design is “a design process that enables and empowers a diverse population by improving human performance, health and wellness, and social participation” (Steinfeld and Maisel, 2012).
Keep the following eight goals in mind as you’re developing or reviewing your built and virtual environments, products, and services for all users, including staff and customers/clients.
1. Body Fit: Accommodating a wide range of body sizes and abilities.
2. Comfort: Keeping demands within desirable limits of body function and perception.
3. Awareness: Ensuring that critical information for use is easily perceived.
4. Understanding: Making methods of operation and use intuitive, clear, and unambiguous.
5. Wellness: Contributing to health promotion (physical, mental, and emotional), avoidance of disease, and protection from hazards.
6. Social Integration: Treating all groups with dignity and respect.
7. Personalization: Incorporating opportunities for choice and the expression of individual preferences.
8. Cultural Appropriateness: Respecting and reinforcing cultural values, and the social and environmental contexts of any design project.
While we aim for Universal Design principles and goals, we also recognize that no environment, product, or service will ever be fully usable by every single person. The importance is integrating the process and thinking of Universal Design into your day-to-day operations and systems.